*new* Carbon Plastic 60" Sprint Car Top Wing Cap/ Edge Protector on 2040-parts.com

Carbon-fiber parts and a software fix help create a lighter, faster Fiat

Chrysler Group's Mopar parts brand and Italian supplier Magneti Marelli have teamed up on a design exercise based on the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth that shaved weight and added horsepower. The vehicle, called the Venom, has a number of carbon fiber components -- hood and side mirrors, for example -- that makes it about 200 pounds lighter than the 2,512-pound Abarth. The Venom uses software updates and additional exhaust components to boost the Abarth's standard 160-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged engine's output by as much as 25 percent.

Australian F1 Grand Prix Qualifying: Postponed until Sunday by heavy rain

Final qualifying for the 2013 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been postponed until Sunday by torrential rain and poor light. The 2013 Australian Grand Prix is the opening event for the new F1 season, but the new season is off to a difficult start after torrential rain in Melbourne has forced the postponement of qualifying until Sunday morning – just before the race itself is due to start. Race Director Charlie Whiting called time on qualifying this morning after just the first knockout round when the heavy rain – and fading light – made it too dangerous to continue the knockout session.

Toyota recalls Toyota Avensis & Lexus IS 250

Toyota recall the Avensis & Lexus IS 250 Toyota must have a sinking feeling of deja vu today, as the spectre of last year came back to haunt. 2010 was the year of the Toyota Recall, with millions of cars worldwide recalled to address the ‘Throttlegate’ issue of sticky accelerator pedals. But today’s recall announcement is not in that league, affects less than 20,000 cars in the UK (although over 1 million worldwide) and there have been no reports of any accidents relating to the recall in the UK.